Bottle carton with end identification panel



Oct. 11, 1966 A. J. WEISS 3,278,075

BOTTLE CARTON WITH END IDENTIFICATION PANEL Filed Feb. 15. 1961 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. AETHU Z. IS. WEISS Man/ m ATTORNEYS Oct. 11,1966 A. J. WEISS 3,

BOTTLE CARTON WITH END IDENTIFICATION PANEL Filed Feb. 15, 1961 4 SheeLsSheeL 2 ATTolzuE fi Oct. 11, 1966 A. J. WEISS 3,278,075

BOTTLE CARTON WITH END IDENTIFICATION PANEL Filed Feb. 15, 1961 4Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 6G ARTHUR J. WEISS AT TO 2 M EYS A. J. WEISS3,278,075

BOTTLE CARTON WITH END IDENTIFICATION PANEL Oct. 11, 1966 Filed Feb. 15.1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN T OR. AzTuua 3. WEISS fiwl kiwi-2D ugvg,

United States Patent 3,278,075 BOTTLE CARTON WITH END IDENTIFICATIONPANEL Arthur J. Weiss, Bergenfield, N.J., assignor to Continental CanCompany, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 15,1961, Ser. No. 89,440 8 Claims. (Cl. 220112) This invention relates ingeneral to new and useful improvements in bottle cartons, and moreparticularly relates to improvements in bottle cartons of the wraparoundpaperboard type.

When bottles packaged in cartons are stacked, at the present time, it isnecessary to stack the cartons so that a side of each carton is disposedfowardlmost in order to identify the contents of the carton. However, inmany instances, it is highly desirable to stack or otherwise storecartons of bottles with the ends of the cartons being exposed. It istherefore the primary object of this invention to provide a bottlecarton with an identification panel at at least one end thereof, theidentification panel being of a sufiicient size to receive the necessaryidentifying indicia.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel bottle carton ofthe wrap-around type for use in conjunchaving a top wall which has theends thereof formed to define identification panels which are snappeddown when the bottle canton is formed about a plurality of bottles sothat the identification panels assume generally upright positions at thenormally open ends of the bottle cartons to thus permit theidentification of the cartons from the exposed ends thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel bottle carton ofthe wrap-mound type for use in conjunction with bottles having caps, thebottle carton being provided with means on the top wall thereof forengaging beneath the caps of certain of the bottles whereby when liftmeans on the top wall of the bottle carton are engaged and the bottlecarton and bottles contained therein lifted thereby, the means on thetop wall will engage beneath the caps of the certain of the bottles toeffect a direct lifting effort on the bottles from the top wall, therebyreducing the pressure on the bottom of the bottle carton, which bottomis normally formed of interlocked panels.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bottle carton of thewrap-around type, the bottle carton having a top wall formed with aplurality of openings through which necks and caps of bottles pass, andthe top wall being provided with end identification panels which in thefilled condition of the carton extend downwardly at the normally openends of the bottle carton for the purpose of identifying the contents ofthe bottle carton, each of the identification panels being provided withmeans projecting into the endmost ones of theopenings for engagement bynecks of bottles as the bottles pass therethrough to snap theidentification panels downwardly, the means on the identification panelsbeing engageable beneath the ends of the bottles in the endmost openingsto transfer the weights of the endmost bottles directly to the top wallof the carton when the bottle carton is lifted by the top wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel bottle cartonwhich is provided with identification means at the normally open endsthereof, the identification means being in the form of a pair of flapshingedly connected to the ends of the sides of the bottle carton and anidentification panel extending downwardly from the top wall of thebottle carton, the flaps having upper extensions engaged behind theidentification panel with the identification panel holding the flapsgenerally in the plane of the end of the carton.

In the normal construction of a bottle carton of the wrap-around type,the bottle canton is pnovided with openings in the top wall thereof forthe passage of the necks of bottles. While this permits the constructionof a rigid package, it necessitates the resting of the next upper cartonupon the relatively small bottle caps when cartons are stacked. Thisdoes not provide a very stable support for the upper carton. It istherefore a further object of this invention to provide a novel bottlecarton wherein the bottle carton has a top wall provided with openingstherein for the partial passage of bottle caps and necks, and at thesame time, the top wall includes a central panel which partiallyoverlies the caps and forms an adequate support for the bottom of a nextupper carton when the cartons are stacked, the passage of the cap andneck of the bottle out through each opening forming the necessaryinterlock between the upper part of the bottle and the upper part of thebottle carton to prevent shifting of the bottle within the carton.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel blankfrom which a bottle carton of the wraparound type may be formed, theblank being generally rectangular in outline and having portions thereondefining identification panels formed as part of the top wall panel ofthe blank and being adapted to be folded out of the plane of the topwall panel into depending positions for indicating the contents of thecanton when the carton is viewed from one of its ends.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a bottle carton formed in accordancewith the invention, the bottle oartons containing bottles to form areadily handleable package.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view showing two of the bottle cartons ofFIGURE 1 in a stacked relation and showing the manner in which thecontents of the bottle cartons may be identified from the ends thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the bottle carton of FIG- URE 1, and showsthe general relationship of the bottle carton with respect to thebottles.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional viewtaken through the center of the bottle carton along the line 44 ofFIGURE 3, and shows the specific relationship between the bottles andportions of the bottle carton.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view, takenalong the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4, and shows the relationship of the basesof the bottles with respect to the bottle carton.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the blank from which the bottle carton isfonmed.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of another form of bottle carton, withthe bottle carton having bottles disposed thereinv FIG-URE 8 is anenlarged transverse vertical sectional view, taken through the center ofthe bottle carton of FIGURE 7, and shows the general cross-section ofthe bottle carton, one-half of the bottles in the carton being shown inphantom lines to show the details of the relationship of anidentification panel of the bottle carton with respect to the bottles.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of the blank from which the bottle carton ofFIGURE 7 is formed.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of still another form of .bottle carton,the bottle carton being illustrated with bottles therein.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the bottle carton of FIGURE 10,and shows the general relationship of the bottle carton with respect tothe bottles there- FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary transversevertical sectional view taken along the line |12'1 2 of FIG- 'URE l andshows the relationship of the upper portion of the bottle carton withrespect to the upper portions of the bottles disposed therein, one ofthe bottles being shown in full lines and the other of the bottles beingshown in phantom lines to clearly illustrate the relationship.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the blank from which thebottle carton of FIGURE is formed.

Reference is now made to the drawings in detail, wherein a first form ofbottle carton, generally referred to by the numeral 15, is illustratedin FIGURES 1 through 6. The bottle carton 15 is particularly adapted forholding six conventional bottles B of the type having relatively shortnecks N and removable ca-ps C of the crown type. The general details ofthe bottle carton 15 are best described by reference to FIGURE 6,wherein a blank, generally referred to by the numeral 16, from which thebottle carton 15 is formed, is illustrated.

The blank 16 is preferably formed of a sheet of paperboard which is ofan elongated, generally rectangular outline. The blank 16 is dividedinto a plurality of panels by :Eold lines. These fold lines include afold line 17 which extends transversely of the blank 16 and sets oif afirst terminal panel 18. A fold line 19 is spaced from the fold line 17and the area of the blank 16 between the fold lines 17 and 1-9 is in theform of an intermediate panel which is a side panel 20. The opposite endof the blank 16 is provided with a transverse fold line 21 whichcorresponds to the fold line 17 and sets off a second terminal panel 22.The fold lines of the blank 16 also include a fold line 23 whichcorresponds to the told line 19. The area of the blank 16 between thefold lines 21 and 23 defines a second intermediate panel 24. Thatportion of the blank 16 between the fold lines 19 and 23 is in the formof a top Wall panel 25.

In the forming of the bottle carton .15 from the blank 16, the blank 16is folded along the fold lines 17, =19, 21 and 23. The terminal panels18 and 22 combine to define a bottom wall 26 of the carton 15, as isbest shown in FIGURE 1. The panel 22 is disposed lowermost and there isa slight overlap of the panels 18 and 2-2. The panel 18 is provided witha plurality of openings 27 while the panel 22 is provided with aplurality of tabs 28. The tabs 28 cooperate with the openings 27 in aconventional manner to rigidly connect the panels 18 and 22 to define arigid bottom 26. Therefore, the specific details of the tabs 28 will notbe described here.

The over-all width of the bottom 26 is less than the combined widths oftwo bottles B. As a result, each of the panels 18 and 22 is providedwith a plurality of projecting portions 29, there being one projectingportion 29 for each bottle in the two rows of bottles carried by thebottle carton 15. Each of the projecting portions 29 is defined by anarcuate out line 30 which is primarily formed in a respective one of theside panels 20, 24 and which intersects a respective one of the foldlines 217, 21. It is also necessary that each of the side panels 20, 24have the bottom portion thereof bulge outwardly in the manner bestillustrated in FIGURE 5. To this end, each of the panels 20, 2 4 isprovided with an elongated slit 31 which extends longitudinally of theblank 16 and which terminates at its intersection with the arcuate cut4. line 30 with which it is associated. For each of the slits 31, thereis provided a pair of slits 32, one slit 32 being disposed on each sideof the corresponding slit 3 1. Each of the slits 32 is shorter than theslit 3-1 and terminates at its intersection with the arcuate out line30. A fold line 33 extends from the end of each slit 32 remote from thearcuate cut line 30 to the intersection of the associated arcuate cutline 30 with the respective one of the fold lines 17, 21, with each ofthe slits 32 and fold lines 3-3, in conjunction with the associatedarcuate cut line 30 defining a small panel 3 4 which may be outwardlyexpanded when the bottle carton 15 has bottles B therein, as is bestillustrated in FIGURE 5.

The top wall panel 25 is provided with a plurality of bottle neckreceiving openings, the bottle neck receiving openings being arranged inpairs and rows and including a central pair of openings 35 and twoendfost pairs of openings 36.

The top wall panel 25 is provided adjacent each end thereof with anarcuate fold line 37 which extends from a respective end of the foldline 19 to a respective end of the told line 23 and intersectingrespective ones of the openings 36 in two places. The arcuate fold line37 is discontinuous and terminates at its intersection with each of theopenings 36. Each arcuate fold line 37 sets off an identification panel38, the identification panel 38 projecting slightly outwardly of thegeneral side line of the blank 16 and having an arcuate free edge 39which is convexly curved, the edge 39 extending from a respective end ofthe fold line 19 to a respective end of the fold line 23.

The identification panel 38 is provided with a pair of tabs 40, each tab40 being connected to the identification panel 38 along the interruptedportion of the arcuate fold line 37, there being one tab 40 for each ofthe openings 36. Each tab 40 projects into its respective one of theopenings 36.

The top wall panel 25 is also provided with a pair of finger receivingopenings 41 which are spaced along a line which extends transversely ofthe blank 16 but is a longitudinal center line of the top wall panel 25,the finger receiving openings 41 being disposed symmetrically about aline which is a transverse center line of the top wall panel 25 andwhich extends longitudinally of the blank 16. Each finger receivingopening 41 is defined by an arcuate out line which terminates at itsopposite ends in a fold line 42, and that portion of the top wall panel25 defined by each arcuate out line and the fold line 42 being in theform of a flap 43 which is folded inwardly, as is best shown in FIGURE4, to define the finger opening 41.

The bottle carton 15 is assembled with the six bottles B illustrated inFIGURE 1 in a customary manner. This normally is accomplished by amachine which takes the blank 16 and places the top wall panel 25thereof over the six bottles B with the caps and necks of the bottles Bpassing through the openings 35 and 36. The sides 20, 24 are thenwrapped down around the sides of the bottles B, after which the terminalpanels 18 and 22 are passed beneath the bottoms of the bottles B andinterlocked together to define the bottom wall 26. As the caps C andnecks N of the endmost bottles B pass through the openings 26, the capsC engage the tabs 40 and urge the tabs upwardly. As a result, the tabs40, which are integrally connected to the identification panels 38,result in the downward snapping of the identification panels to thepositions illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4. This is in part aided bythe fact that the top wall panel 25 is upwardly arched, due to theheights of the bottles as compared to the heights of the side panels 20,24. The downwardly directed identification panels 38 aid in themaintaining of the arched condition of the top wall panel 25.

When the bottles B are fully seated with respect to the top wall panel25, the tabs 40 have slipped below the caps C of their respective onesof the bottles B, with the result that the tabs 40 closely engage thenecks N of the bottles B beneath the caps C. Although the tabs 40 may beslightly spaced below the caps C, when the carton is lifted by placingones fingers through the openings 41 and lifting up on the top wallpanel 25, the top wall panel will move upwardly slightly with respect tothe bottles B, with the result that the tabs will engage beneath thecaps C of the endmost ones of the bottles B and the endmost ones of thebottles will be directly lifted by the top wall panel 25. This reducesthe pressure normally exerted downwardly on the bottom wall 26 by thebottles contained within the carton 15 during the carrying thereof, thuseliminating the possibility of the separation of the panels 18 and 22which would result in the releasing of the bottles B from the carton 15.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 2 in particular wherein it will beapparent that when the cartons 15 are stacked, and the cartons areviewed from the ends thereof, the identification panels 38 will projectgenerally into the normally open ends of the cartons 15 and any indicia,such as the indicia 4-4, imprinted thereon, will be readily visible sothat the contents of the cartons 15 may be readily ascertained eventhough the ends only thereof are visible. This permits the cartons 15 tobe stacked as desired, whereas cartons heretofore provided could bestacked only with the sides thereof visible for identification purposes.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, wherein a bottle carton,generally referred to by the numeral 50, is illustrated. The bottlecarton is illustrated as holding six bottles B, each of which, as isbest illustrated in FIGURE 8, has a. relatively short neck N and isprovided with a cap C of the crown cap type. The carton 50 is formedfrom a paperboard blank, generally referred to by the numeral 51, and isbest described by first describing the details of the blank 51.

The blank 51 is of an elongated rectangular configuration and is dividedinto a plurality of panels by a plurality of fold lines which extendtransversely of the blank. These fold lines include a fold line 52 whichsets off at one end of the blank 51 a first terminal panel 53. A similarfold line 54 sets off at the opposite end of the blank 51 a secondterminal panel 55. The fold lines also include a pair of central foldlines 56 and 57 which set off a centrally located top wall panel 58.That portion of the blank 51 between the fold lines 52 and 56 is in theform of a side panel 59; that portion of the blank 51 between the foldlines 54 and 57 is in the form of a side panel 60.

When the carton 50 is formed from the blank 51, the terminal panels 53and combine to define a bottom wall 61 of the carton 50. The panel 55 isdisposed lowermost, and the panels 53 and 55 have overlapping edgeportions. The panel 53- is provided with a plurality of openings 62which cooperate with a like number of locking tabs 63 which project froma free edge of the panel 55 to form an interlock between the panels 53and 55 in a conventional manner. Since the interlock is conventional,specific details of the openings 62 and the tabs 63 will not bedescribed here.

The side panels 59 and are provided with fold lines 64 and 65,respectively, which are disposed adjacent the fold lines 52 and 54,respectively. The fold lines 52 and 64 set off a panel 66, whereas thefold lines 54 and 65 set off a similar panel 67, the panels 66 and 67being relatively narrow. The panels 66 and 67 are provided withgenerally half-moon-shaped openings 68 which face towards the fold lines52 and 54 and which intersect the respective ones of the fold lines 52,64, 54 and 65. The openings 68 define projecting portions 69 on thepanels 53 and 55 for supporting the bottoms of the bottles B in themanner best illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8.

It is to be noted that associated with each of the openings 68 is a slit76 which extends longitudinally of the blank 51 and which terminates atthe respective one of the openings 68. The slits 70 permit expansion ofthe 6 side panels 59, 60 as is necessary in the reception of the bottlesB within the bottle carton 50.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 7 and 8 wherein it is shown that whenthe bottles B are disposed within the carton 50, the panels 66 and 67slope upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall 61, and the openings68 are substantially entirely formed within the panels 66 and 67. Theopenings 68 permit the outward projection of lower portions of thebottles B. Further, the openings 68 cooperate with the slits 70 in theoutward bulging of the side panels or side walls 59, 60 of the bottlecarton 50'.

The top wall panel 58 is provided with two rows of openings, theopenings being disposed on opposite sides of a centerline of the topwall panel 58 which extends longitudinally of the top wall panel, buttransversely of the blank 51. The openings include a pair of centralopenings 71 and two pairs of endmost openings 72. The openings '71, 72are intended to receive the caps C and necks N of the bottles B.

The ends of the top wall panel 58 are provided with arcuate interruptedfold lines 73 which open through the ends of the top wall panel 58 andwhich intersect each of the associated pair of endmost openings 72 attwo points, each fold line 73 being interrupted between its points ofintersection with each opening 72. Each of the fold lines 73 sets off anidentification panel 74 which 'has a convexly curved free edge 75 whichterminates at its intersection with its respective one of the curvedfold lines 73, the intersections between the edge 75 and the respectivefold lines 73 being recessed inwardly of the side edges of the blank 51.Each of the identification panels '74 is provided with a pair of tabs76, the tabs 76 projecting into the respective ones of the openings 72for engagement by bottle caps and necks when the bottle carton 50 isassembled with the bottles B.

The bottle carton 50* is assembled with the bottles B by passing the topwall panel 58 down over the upper ends of the bottles B with the bottlecaps C and necks N passing through the openings 71 and 72. When thebottle caps C pass through the openings 72, they engage the tabs 76 andurge the tabs 76 upwardly with the resultant downward snapping orfolding of the identification panels 74 along the curved fold lines 73.As the top wall panel 58 in continued to be moved down over the bottlesB, and the side panels 59, 60 are pulled downwardly around the sides ofthe bottles B, the top wall panel 58 assumes an upwardly arched shape,as is best shown in FIGURE 8, by folding along a pair of interruptedfold lines 77 which extend between the openings 72 and the openings 71.The fold lines 77 are generally aligned with the intersections of thefold lines 73 with the outer portions of the openings 72. The fold lines77 divide the top wall panel 58 generally into a central panel 78 andouter panels 79. The outer panels 79 slope downwardly and outwardly, asis best shown in FIGURE 8, while the central panel 78 is generallyhorizontally disposed.

When the bottle carton 50 is completely assembled about the bottles B,the tabs 76 engage the necks N of the endmost ones of the bottles Bbelow the caps C. When there is any tendency whatsoever for the top wallpanel 58 to move upwardly, as is the case when the bottle carton 50 islifted by placing ones fingers through a pair of finger openings 80which are formed by pressing inwardly on a pair of tabs 81 connected tothe top wall panel 58 along fold lines 82, the upward movement of thetop wall panel 58 results in the engagement of the tabs 76 under thebottle caps C and the application of a lifting force on the endmostbottles B so that a major portion of the weights of the endmost bottlesB is transferred to the top wall panel 58 and there is a reduction ofloading on the bottom wall 61, thereby eliminating failure of theconnection between the bottom wall forming panels 53 and 55.

In the normal positions of the bottles B within the bottle carton 50,the tabs 76 are retained in their generally upwardly directed positionswith the result that the identification panels 74 are retained in theirdepending positions. Thus, the identification panels 74- aid inmaintaining the upward arched relation of the top wall panel 58, and theidentification panels 74 remain exposed where they may be viewed fromthe normally open ends of the carton 50, and when the identificationpanels 74 are provided with proper indicia, the contents of the bottlecarton 50 may be determined when viewing one end only thereof. Thispermits the bottle cartons 50 to be stacked in any desired arrangementand still the contents thereof remain identifiable.

In FIGURES through 13, inclusive, there are illustrated the details of abottle carton, generally referred to by the numeral 90. The bottlecarton 99 is of the wrap-around type and is particularly adapted to holdsix bottles B, although by modification, it could be adapted to holdother numbers of bottles. Each bottle B is of a conventional short necktype including a neck N and a cap C of the crown cap type. The bottlecarton 91) is formed from a paperboard blank which is generallyretferred to by the numeral 91.

The details of the bottle carton 90 may be best understood by firstdescribing the details of the blank 91. The blank 91 is formed from asingle sheet of paperboard and has a generally elongated rectangularoutline. The blank 91 is provided with a plurality of fold lines whichextend transversely of the length of the blank, and divide the blankinto a plurality of separate panels. The fold lines include aninterrupted fold line 92 which sets off a first terminal panel 93. Asimilar fold line 94 sets off a second terminal panel 95. A pair ofcentrally located fold lines 96 and 97 set off a centrally located topwall panel 98. The portion of the blank 91 disposed between the foldlines 92 and 96 defines a side panel 98, while the portion of the blank91 between the fold lines 94 and 97 defines a side panel 99. In theformation of the carton "90 from the blank 91, the blank 91 is foldedalong the fold lines 92, 94, 96 and 97 to have a generally rectangularcross-section and with the first and second terminal panels 93 and 95combining to define a bottom wall 100 of the bottle carton 99.

In the formation of the bottom wall 100, the panels 93, 95 are partiallyoverlapped, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 10, with the panel 93overlying the panel 95. The panels 93 and 95 are interconnected by a taband slot connection which includes a plurality of slots or openings 101formed in the panel 93 and a similar number of tabs 102 projecting fromthe panel 95. Since the tab and slot connections are conventional, thedetails of neither the slots 101 nor the tabs 10 2 will be describedhere.

The fold line 92 is interrupted by a plurality of generally C-shapedcuts 193 which are formed primarily within the side panel 98', but whichextend slightly into the terminal panel 93. The cuts .103 define arcuateprojections 104 which, in the folded condition of the bottle carton 90,project outwardly of the side panel 98 and form rests for the bottoms ofthe bottles B, as is best shown in FIGURE 10. The fold line 94- is alsointerrupted by C-shaped cuts 105 which are identical with the cuts .193and which project primarily into the side panel 99. The cuts 105 definearcuate projections 106 which function in the same manner as the arcuateprojections 103.

The width of the bottom wall 190 is less than the combined diameters oftwo of the bottles B. As a result, the lower portions of the bottles Bproject out through the lower portions of the side panels 98, 99, as isclearly shown in FIGURE 10. In order to permit this, each of the sidepanels 98', 99 is provided with cuts 197 which extend into therespective one of the side panels 98, 99 from the respective one of theC-shaped cuts 103, 105. The outer end of each of the cuts 107 is joinedto a terminal end of an associated one of the C-shaped cuts 103, 195 bya fold line 108 to define a plurality of small flaps 109 which may swingout of the plane of the associated 8 one of the side panels 98', 99 topermit the outward projection of the bottles B through the side panels98, 99.

The top wall panel 98 is provided with two centrally located fold lines110 which extend longitudinally of the top wall panel 98, buttransversely of the blank 91. The fold lines 110 divide the top wallpanel 98 into a central panel 111 and a pair of outer panels 112. Threeopenings 113 are formed along each of the fold lines 110, the openings113 having spacings corresponding to the spacings of the bottles B. Itis to be noted that the openings 113 interrupt the fold lines 110 andproject slightly into the central panel 111. Each opening 113 is of agenerally trapezoidal outline and has a maximum width in the centralpanel 111.

The top Wall panel 98 is also provided with a pair of fold lines 114.Each fold line 114 extends transversely of the top wall panel 98 andgenerally longitudinally of the blank 91. Each of the fold lines 114.extends between the fold lines 110 and intersects the fold lines 110 atthe outermost corners of the outermost ones of the openings 113. Adiagonal fold line 115 extends from the end of each of the fold lines114 with each pair of fold lines 115 diverging and extending to theedges of the blank 91 at the respective end of the top wall panel 98.That portion of the top wall panel 98 between the ends of the fold lines115 is longer than the remainder of the top wall panel. The bulgedportion of the top wall panel 98 at each end thereof is defined by aline 116 which extends outwardly and then longitudinally of the blank 91from the outer ends of the respective fold lines 115. The lines 114, 115and 116 define an identification panel 117 at each end of the top wallpanel 98.

The central portion of the central panel 111 is provided with a pair offinger receiving openings 118 through which ones fingers may be passedto lift the bottle carton when filled with the bottles B for carrying.Each of the finger receiving openings 118 is defined by a pair of flaps119 which are movable down into the confines of the bottle carton 90between adjacent ones of the bottles B. The flaps 119 are connected tothe central panel 111 along fold lines 120.

Each of the side panels 98', 99 has a flap 121 connected thereto at eachend thereof along a fold line 122 which is coextensive with the sideedge of the respective one of the side panels 98, 99. Each of the flaps121 has a projection 123 which projects beyond the associated side paneland is disposed adjacent a respective one of the outer panels 112.

In the assembling of the bottle carton 90 with the bottles B, the blank91 is placed over the six bottles B in alignment therewith, and the topwall panel 98 is brought into engagement with the bottle caps C, withthe bottle caps C and portions of the necks N of the bottles B passingthrough the respective ones of the openings 113 and with edge portionsof the central panel 111 resting on the bottle caps C in the manner bestillustrated in FIGURE 10. The side panels 98', 99 are then folded downaround the bottles B with the result that the outer panels 112 assumedownwardly sloping positions, such as is illustrated in FIGURE 12, andthe side panels 98, 99 closely engage the outer surfaces of the bottlesB. The terminal panels 93, are then wrapped around the bottoms of thebottles B and are interlocked in the conventional manner. The flaps 121,which are identification flaps, are then folded inwardly into the planesof the ends of the bottle carton 90, after which the identificationpanels 117 are snapped down to the positions illustrated in FIGURE 10.The identification panels 117 overlap the extensions 123 of the flaps121 to retain the flaps 121 in position.

It is to be noted that the outer panels 112 underlie the outer portionsof the caps C and when an upward pull is directed on the central panel111, as would occur in the lifting of the bottle carton 10 by placingones fingers through the finger receiving openings 118, the outer panels112 engage beneath the bottle caps C and effect an up- 9. ward force onthe bottle caps C to effect the suspension of the bottle B at least inpart from the top wall panel 98. This eliminates the usual pressuresexerted on the connections between the panels forming the bottom wall100 of the bottle carton 90.

The identification panels 117 and the identification flaps 121 areprovided with suitable indicia (not shown) to identify the contents ofthe bottle carton 90. Thus the bottle cartons 90 may be stacked in anydesired arrangement, and the contents thereof identifiable even whenonly the ends of the cartons are visible.

It is to be noted that the entire central panel 111 of the top wallpanel 98 is disposed above the bottles B and form a flat surface onwhich a next upper bottle carton 90 may be rested. Thus the specificarrangement of the bottle carton 90 With respect to the bottles Bfacilitates the stacking of the bottle cartons, as is desirable indisplays.

It will be readily apparent that the bottle cartons disclosed hereinhave two desirable features. The first of these is the provision ofidentification panels at the opposite ends of the bottle cartons wherebythe contents of the bottle cartons may be ascertained even when only theends thereof are visible. The other desirable feature of this inventionis the interlocking of the top wall panels of the bottle cartons beneaththe caps of certain of the bottles, particularly the endmost bottles,whereby the usual entire weight of the bottles on the bottom wallconnection no longer exists. This makes a much more rigid package andeliminates the tearing of the tab and slot connections joining togetherthe terminal panels of the blank to form the bottom wall of the carton.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageousprovision has been made for carrying out the desired end. However,attention is again directed to the fact that variations may be made inthe example bott e cartons disclosed herein without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

.1. A wrap around bottle carton comprising a bottom wall, upstandingside walls, a top wall and open ends, said top wall having bottlereceiving openings arranged in rows, said top wall further having anidentification panel at at least one end thereof, said identificationpanel being foldably connected to the respective end of said top walland extending downwardly from said top wall at the one end of saidcarton in a generally vertically disposed position whereby the contentsof the carton may be readily determined when the carton is stacked withother cartons and only the end thereof is exposed, said top wall beinggenerally arched shaped and cooperating with said identification panelto retain said identification panel in the generally vertically disposedposition and said upstanding walls having end identification flapsfoldably connected to the ends thereof at the one end of said carton andprojecting transversely across said carton into the one of said openends, said end flaps having upper portions engaged behind saididentification panel and held in place thereby.

2. A bottle carton of the wraparound type for holding a plurality ofcapped bottles, said bottle carton comprising a bottom wall, upstandingsides and a top wall connected to said sides, said top wall beingupwardly arched and including an uppermost central panel and downwardlysloping outer panels connected to said central panel along longitudinalfold lines, a plurality of openings formed primarily in said outerpanels along said fold lines for receiving portions only of caps andnecks of bottles with portions of the caps underlying said cent-ralpanel, said central panel having means for facilitating the carrying ofbottle carriers with bottles therein and said outer panels havingportions immediately adjacent said openings for engaging beneath bottlecaps to directly transfer the weight of bottles within said bottlecarton to said central panel, a transverse fold line extending betweensaid longitudinal fold lines adjacent each end of said central panel andadjacent endmost ones of said openings and a pair of diverging foldlines extending from the ends of each transverse fold line to ends ofsaid outer panels combining to define an identification panel at eachend of said top wall connected to each outer panel by a single panelextension, each identification panel being downwardly directed wherebythe contents of said carton may be identified when said carton isstacked with other cartons and only the end thereof is exposed.

3. The bottle carton of claim 2 wherein said sides have flaps hingedthereto and extending partially across the ends of said carton, eachflap having an upper portion underlying an associated one of saididentification panels to hold said fi-aps in place.

4. A blank for forming a bottle carton comprising an elongated generallyrectangular paperboard sheet, fold lines extending transversely of saidsheet dividing said sheet int-o first and second terminal bottom Wallpanels, intermediate side panels and a top wall panel, said bottom wallpanels having cooperating interlocking means for connecting togetherfree ends of the blank in the formation of a bottle carton, said topwall panel having a pair of fold lines extending transversely of saidentire blank and dividing said top wall panel into a central panel andtwo outer panels, a plurality of openings formed primarily in said outerpanels along said pair of fold lines, each opening being generallytrapezoidal in outline and of a size less than the usual bottle capwhereby said openings are adapted to receive only a portion of a bottleneck and cap, a longitudinal fold line extending between said pair offold lines adjacent each end of said central panel and adjacent endmostones of said openings, and a pair of diverging fold lines extending fromthe ends of each longitudinal fold line to ends of said outer panelscombining to define an identification panel at each end of said top wallpanel connected to each of said outer panels by a single extensionpanel.

5. The blank of claim 4 together with flaps hinged to ends of said sidepanels and having portions extending coextensive with and spaced fromends of said outer panels.

6. A blank for forming a bottle carton comprising an elongated generallyrectangular paperboard sheet, fold lines extending transversely of saidsheet dividing said sheet into first and second terminal bottom wallpanels, intermediate side panels and a top wall panel, said bottom wallpanels having cooperating interlocking means for connecting togetherfree ends of the blank in the formation of a bottle carton, said topwall panel having a pair of fold lines extending transversely of saidentire blank and dividing said top wall panel into a central panel andtwo outer panels, a plurality of openings formed primarily in said outerpanels along said pair of fold lines, each opening adapted to receive atleast a portion of a bottle neck and cap, a generally longitudinal foldline extending in its entirety across said top wall panel adjacent eachend of said top wall, each of said generally longitudinal fold linesincluding a longitudinal central portion extending across said centralpanel and diverging outer portions extending across said outer panels,at least one portion of each of said generally longitudinal fold linesbeing disposed entirely between the ends of said side walls.

7. A wraparound bottle carton comprising a bottom wall, upstanding sidewalls, a top wall and open ends, said top wall having bottle neckreceiving openings arranged in rows with openings in adjacent rows beingtransversely aligned, said top wall one end having a downwardly directedidentification panel for identifying the contents of the carton when thecart-on is stacked with other cartons and only one end of the car-ton isexposed, said top Wall being upwardly arched and including an uppermostcentral panel and sloping outer panels connected to said central panelalong spaced parallel longitudinal fold lines, and each diverging foldline in nected to said top Wall along a transverse fold line extendingacross said central panel two diverging fold lines extending across saidouter panels, said diverging fold lines intersecting said transversefold line along said longitudinal fold lines, and each diverging foldline in cooperation with an adjacent one of said longitudinal fold linesdefining a single panel extension of said identification panel directlyconnected to a respective one of said top wall outer panels.

8. The blank of claim 6 together with flaps hinged to ends of said sidepanels and having portions extending coextensive With and spaced fromthe ends of said outer 15 panels.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,925 1/1961 Fisher 206-65 2,801,001 7/1957 Wolowicz 206-65 2,811,250 10/1957Arneson 2066 5 2,877,894 3/1959 Forrer 20665 2,899,051 8/1959 Barnby220116 X 2,931,490 4/1960 McGihon 20665 2,936,069 5/1960 Dunning 2066510 2,985,294 5/1961 Arneson 206-65 LOUIS G. MANOENE, Primary Examiner.

EARLE I. DR UMMOND, THERON E. CONDON,

Examiners. G. R. CARLSON, Assistant Examiner.

1. A WRAP AROUND BOTTLE CARTON COMPRISING A BOTTLE WALL, UPSTANDING SIDE WALLS, A TOP WALL AND OPEN ENDS, SAID TOP WALLS HAVING BOTTLE RECEIVING OPENINGS ARRANGED IN ROWS, SAID TOP WALL FURTHER HAVING AN IDENTIFICATION PANEL AT LEAST ONE END THEREOF, SAID IDENTIFICATION PANEL BEING FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO THE RESPECTIVE END OF SAID TOP WALL AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID TOP WALL AT THE ONE END OF SAID CARTON IN A GENERALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED POSITION WHEREBY THE CONTENTS OF THE CARTON MAY BE READILY DETERMINED WHEN THE CARTON IS STACKED WITH OTHER CARTONS AND ONLY THE END THEREOF IS EXPOSED, SAID TOP WALL BEING GENERALLY ARCHED SHAPED AND COOPERATING WITH SAID IDENTIFICATION PANEL TO RETAIN SAID IDENTIFICATION PANEL IN THE GENERALLY VERTICALLY DISPOSED POSITION AND SAID UPSTANDING WALLS HAVING END IDENTIFICATION FLAPS FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO THE ENDS THEREOF AT THE ONE END OF SAID CARTON AND PROJECTING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS SAID CARTON INTO THE ONE OF SAID OPEN ENDS, SAID END FLAPS HAVING UPPER PORTIONS ENGAGED BEHIND SAID IDENTIFICATION PANEL AND HELD IN PLACE THEREBY. 